Family & Lifestyle

Family of Five Builds Fully Self-Sufficient Home Using Only Reclaimed Materials and Rainwater

The Okafor family in rural Vermont has completed a three-year project to build a fully self-sufficient home using 95% reclaimed and recycled materials, powered entirely by solar panels and a small wind turbine, with all water sourced from a rainwater collection and filtration system. Their monthly utility costs are zero, and they produce enough surplus energy to power two neighboring homes. The family has shared their complete building plans online for free, and over 40,000 people have downloaded them.